Here is a sample of studies that are the hallmarks of chiropractic research:
Randomized placebo controlled trial of efficacy of chiropractic treatment for chronic cervicogenic headaches.
Wayne Whittingham, BSc,MChiro;
C. Dacosta,BDc,MChiro;
P. McCrossin,BSc,MChiro; and
B. Whittingham,BSc,MChiro, of RMIT University, Australia
The study involved the use of toggle recoil cervical adjustments to "assess short and long-term patient satisfaction with chiropractic management for chronic cervicogenic headaches." Utilizing a sample size of 105 patients, the authors found that those receiving the adjustments enjoyed dramatic reductions in headache frequency; duration; severity; and medication use. In contrast, the placebo group showed "no significant improvement from baseline scores for five of six outcome measures." The study further showed that the benefits continued for many patients into the 24th month.
Cervical spine adjustments improve muscle strength of the upper extremities in patients with subacute whiplash.
Esther Suter,PhD;
Stephen Harris,DC; Murray Rose,DC; and
David Peterson,DC, Canada
The study sought to "assess the immediate effects of cervical spine adjustment on muscle function, cervical range of motion (CROM) and pressure sensitivity in patients with subacute whiplash associated disorder (WAD). Twenty-three WAD patients enjoyed improvement in all measured outcomes after spinal manipulation to their cervical spines. Based upon this study, cervical adjustments may therefore be a "first important step towards early active rehabilitation and return to activities of daily living."
The natural course of low back pain.
Lise Hestbûk,DC;
Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde,DC,MPH,PhD;
Marianne Engberg MD,PhD;
Torsten Lauritzen,MD,Dr.MedSci; and
Niels Henrik Bruun, Denmark
The authors conducted a literature review along with their own data from their own population-based survey to "determine whether there is evidence for the statement that up to 90 percent of low back pain patients get well within a month when left unhampered." The results of the literature broadly discredited the statement with the population-based survey showing just the opposite. The authors note, "the overall picture is clear: low back pain does not resolve itself when ignored."
The effectiveness of physical modalities among low-back-pain patients randomized to chiropractic care: Findings from the UCLA low-back pain study.
Eric Hurwitz DC,PhD;
Hal Morgenstern,PhD;
Philip Harber,MD,MPH;
Gerald Kominski,PhD,
Fei Yu,PhD; and Alan Adams,DC, U.S.
The authors sought to "estimate the net effect of physical modalities used at the discretion of chiropractors in managed care." Half of the low-back-pain patients were given chiropractic care with physical modalities, and half were given chiropractic only. The differences between the two groups at the follow-up assessment were "clinically insignificant." The authors noted, "Although these findings add to the evidence showing that physical agents and modalities provide little short or long-term benefit for either acute or chronic low-back-pain patients, specific therapies might be effective in certain patients or in other settings."
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